Social Theories of Aging

Sociological theories of aging focus on the changing roles and relationships that accompany the process of normal aging. These theories discuss how these changing roles, relationships, and status impact the older individual’s ability to adapt.   Since the 1960s, gerontologists have been developing conceptual social frameworks or to identify and elaborate ideal outcomes of the aging process of human beings. One of the most commonly used terms to describe a good old age is successful aging, introduced by Havighurst (1961). The concept of successful aging is central to gerontology, and